Mike Schloesser takes third Vegas Shoot title

The Netherlands' Mike Schloesser won the Championship Compound Open division at the Vegas Shoot for the 3rd time after victories in 2014 and 2017. Many times a finalist, he outlasted a record field of 32 archers on the stage.

"I'm super emotional. I'm super excited," said the Dutchman. "Yeah, I felt like this wasn't my season so far, but I finished really strong, so I'm really proud."

"This is one of the coolest venues I've shot at. Last year I made it as well, but I just finished off the podium. But this year, of course, winning it is something extra special, but this venue is amazing. Just walking out of the stage and seeing all the fireworks, all the light show and all the people, it means something. And it's amazing to be there and it gives me goosebumps."

It was Schloesser's first Vegas victory as a father, here with his wife Gaby (who finished 3rd in Championship Recurve Female) and their daughter Luna, who has been accompanying the pair around the world at tournaments. "We really cannot let go of our archery career yet. So we've been trying to fly with our baby girl. She's now 10 months and it's been tough, but it's been going and I wouldn't change it in the world. It's amazing to be traveling the world as a family and just have these kind of experiences."

On a packed stage, the 32 archers – a new Vegas record – shot top and bottom bales for the first two ends, on the new target faces with a 1.5cm 'x' ring, introduced after the marathon shootdown of 2025.

The first end of shooting, with the big 'x', saw Jacob Weber leave the stage, and then the switch to inner 'x' saw 14 archers leave, including well-known finalists like Christopher Perkins, Gaius Carter, Tate Morgan, Robert Householder as well as the Lucky Dog, Kushal Dalal.

On the third end, targets moved to the centre of the bale and Colton Green, Nick Kappers, Ritik Chahal, Drew Hortman, Curtis Broadnax, and Ojas Pravin Deotale exited the stage after scoring 29 each. Thirteen remained.

On the fourth end Andrey Tyutyun and Braden Gellenthien left, and in the fifth, still on inner-x 1.5cm scoring, Ajay Scott, Ace Coleman, Levi Reitsma, Stephan Hansen, Wayne Hitchcock, and last year's runner-up Nicolas Girard exited, the last with a 28.

Four would shoot the sixth end: three former double champions: Kyle Douglas, Mike Schloesser, and Bodie Turner along with pro and archery shop manager Matt Burns from Alabama. Douglas' first arrow was on the line, and his Vegas was over without a podium.

The podium was decided - but in what order? In the seventh, Turner, who had had a remarkable week and had been shooting stronger than most all evening, suddenly wobbled with a 29, adding a third place finish to add to his two Vegas titles.

Two remained for the eight. Burns, who had looked rock solid, suddenly sent his third arrow wide into the nine, and Mikey closed it out for the win.

Schloesser joins an elite tier of archers who have conquered the most prestigious indoor stage in the sport three times.

It would be a year defined by a record-breaking field and the demands of the new 1.5cm 'X' ring, but Schloesser's victory was, as ever, a testament to his endurance and concentration.